Understand

Tagaytay[27] is a popular destination of residents of Metro Manila primarily because of its mild climate and dramatic scenery, the most significant of which is the view of Taal Volcano.

The weather in Tagaytay is mild and the average temperature is 22-25°C (71-77°F). There are only two 'seasons', wet and dry.

Get in

By plane

The closest major airport is Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila).

By Car

Driving directions to Tagaytay for those with private cars, vans or taxi cabs:

[The following tips are taken from Backpacking Philippines website c/o "Tutubi")

Option 1: via SLEX Sta. Rosa Exit, the most popular and easiest, is a straight drive all the way to Tagaytay Public Market (and right smack into Tagaytay Econo Inn) where you turn right going to Tagaytay city proper and Nasugbu/Balayan/Lemery Batangas or left going to People's Park in the Sky. Usual travel time from Makati CBD is 1.5 hours.

Option 2: SLEX Greenfields Exit, an alternate route to Tagaytay that pass by Pramana, Nuvali, Eton City and Paseo de Sta. Rosa, ideal to avoid traffic buildup on Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay National Road on Saturday mornings thus making it the fastest route to Tagaytay on weekends.

Option 3: SLEX Southwoods exit then Governor's Drive in Carmona going to Dasmarinas. Turn left on Maguyam Road just before the Shell Station to your left.

Option 4: Roxas Boulevard, Baclaran, Coastal Road, Bacoor, Imus, Dasmarinas via Aguinaldo Highway. Not recommended due to presence of heavy traffic made worse by SM Dasmarinas and Robinsons Palapala. At the end of Aguinaldo Highway is the Tagaytay Rotonda (roundabout) where a statue of Ninoy Aquino, a BPI with ATM, Days Inn, Max's Restaurant and 7-11 store as landmarks.

Option 5: Another route for the adventurous to Tagaytay is via Daang Hari that passes by Molino, Bacoor, Imus, Dasmarinas and Silang. It bypasses the traffic chokepoint of Bacoor rotonda but not SM Dasma and Robinsons.

Option 6: From SLEX Toll Road 3/Sto. Tomas, Batangas via STAR Tollway in going to Lipa City, take Sambat exit and follow the national road to Talisay then go up Ligaya Drive, the zigzag road to Tagaytay (sometimes called Bitukang Manok, not for the faint of heart and newbie drivers)

If you're a foreigner, you can hire vans to get there or an airport taxi. Some taxi drivers charge a fixed rate or double the meter fare plus toll fees.

By bus

Coming from Manila by bus

Information taken from "Tagaytay blog" - More details can be found here [28].

Take one of the following buses from the Cubao bus terminus (in order of priority and frequency) –

San Agustin

Erjohn & Almark

Golden dragon

The buses go to Nusugbu (final destination), but have “via Tagaytay” written on the signboard next to the driver. Frequency = one bus every about 30 minutes.

Travel time = close to 3 hours even when setting off early.

Disembark at a crossroad called Olivarez square (now shown on google maps). Easily spotted due to the large KFC restaurant / Andok's / Jollybee (if you are on the right side of the bus) and “Pure Gold” and Mc Donalds” signs if you are on the left side of the bus. After this stop lies the Rotunda (with a statue in the center and colourful lights at night) - this forms the center of the town of Tagaytay.

Tagaytay does not have a dedicated bus terminus – buses just stop at this part of the road. Ask the bus conductor to tell you when the stop for "Tagaytay" or "Olivarez plaza" comes.

Avoid taking buses going to Batangas or Balibago. Avoid JAM transit.

From Manila Airport to Tagaytay City: the cheapest way is to ride the shuttle service from all terminals that pass by MRT Taft Avenue Station and ride BLTB or Crow Transit Buses to Tagaytay. Alternatively, hire a taxi to take you directly to Tagaytay.

From Mandaluyong to Tagaytay: Ride vans (V-Hires) bound for Batangas and Tagaytay in front of Starmall at the corner of EDSA and Shaw Boulevard (walking distance from MRT Shaw Boulevard station). Fare as of posting time is PhP150.00 (this is the best option for those living in Rizal province)

From Laguna to Tagaytay: In Pagsanjan Public Market, there are vans/fx/V-Hires going to Palapala in Dasmarinas Cavite. On reaching Pala-pala transport terminal (near Robinsons Dasmarinas and SM Dasma), transfer to a bus going to Tagaytay where it's less than an hour away.

Calamba to Tagaytay: ride shuttle service at the public market beside Waltermart Calamba or at the Calamba Central Terminal. Cheaper alternative, ride a jeepney going to Balibago complex in Sta. Rosa then transfer to Tagaytay-bound jeepneys.

Shuttle service (vans, FX, V-Hires) in front of EGI Mall (Jollibee) at the corner of Taft Avenue and Sen. Gil Puyat Ave (Buendia) going to Nasugbu, Balayan and Lemery, Batangas that all pass by Tagaytay.

Shuttle service (vans, FX, V-Hires) going to Nasugbu, Balayan and Lemery at Metropoint mall basement at the corner of EDSA and Taft Avenue (accessible from LRT EDSA Station or MRT Taft Avenue station, this is also the so-called EDSA Rotonda though there's really no rotunda there). Current fare is PhP160.00 (regardless of where you're going since it's a derecho trip...information provided by Tutubi's officemate who lives in Balayan, Batangas)

San Agustin bus with signboard "Mendez-Tagaytay" from Harrison Plaza on Vito Cruz (Pablo Ocampo) or Baclaran via Coastal Road, Aguinaldo Highway to the towns of Bacoor, Imus, Dasmarinas and Silang before reaching Tagaytay. (note this is a slow route due to lots of chokepoints in Cavite)

Celyrosa Bus Lines, in Pasay City (note this is a slow route due to lots of checkpoints in Cavite)

Just put in mind that traveling via Coastal Road and Aguinaldo/Tirona highways requires a lot of patience since grave traffic problems takes place along this roads which can waste your time for 1 to 4 hours.

By boat

Get around

Jeepney

Jeepney is a common use of transportation around the area, you'll need to ask the driver where you want to go and where they are going. Fares are usually around 20-50 pesos, sometimes a little bit more depending on the distance.

Walking

At the Tagaytay visitor's centre and near the zip line is quite easy to walk and explore for a person with average fitness.

See

Mabini Shrine
The Shrine houses the remains and personal belongings of the late revolutionary hero and "Brains of the Katipunan," Apolinario Mabini. Mabini is known as the "Sublime Paralytic" who, despite his physical handicap, fired nationalism in the Filipinos and urged them to unite, with the sheer power of his writings. He wrote fiery articles against Spanish atrocities in revolutionary papers. His writings and memorabilia are kept here. His tomb lies at the middle of the site where a replica of the house where he was born also stands.
Location : Barrio Talaga, Tanauan
How to get there : Located about seven kilometers from the town proper of Tanauan and can be reached in an hour and 15 minutes' drive from Manila. Upon reaching the market area, one can turn to A. Mabini avenue leading to Barangay Talaga. The Shrine is open daily from 8:00PM to 5:00PM, except during holidays. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
Travel Time : Approximately 15 minutes from the town proper.

Casa de Segunda Katigbak
The ancestral home of prominent Batangas family, the Casa is a typical "Bahay na Bato" (stone house). It is Spanish Colonial in style, yet tropical in ambiance. It was named after Segunda Katigbak, reputed to be the first love of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Philippines' national hero. Casa segunda is declared by the National Historical Commission as a heritage house for having harbored generations of artists, poets and persons of learning and distinction.
Location : 198 Calle Rizal, Lipa City

Jose P. Laurel Memorial Library
The personal property of the family of the late President Jose P. Laurel, it was donated to the Philippine Government as a historical site and public library. The library is open everyday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM
Location : A. Mabini Ave., Tanauan
How to get there : The place is in the town proper and can be reached by land. Upon reaching the town , turn to A. Mabini Road. The library is about 100 meters from the national road, jeepneys and tricycles service the area.
Travel time : About 5 to 10 minutes' drive from the town proper depending on traffic. The library is located near the St. John Evangelist Parish, a gymnasium, Lo Consolacion College and some other schools, so traffic would be tight during the rush hours.

Marcela N. Agoncillo Historical Landmark (National Landmark)
The birthplace of Marcela N. Agoncillo who was known as the maker of the first official Filipino Flag during the Philippine revolution against the Spanish authorities. The different flags of the revolution are also prominently displayed at the site.
Location : Marcela Agoncillo St., Taal
How to get there : One can take a bus or rented car from Manila to the town of Taal. Once at the town proper, one may take a tricycle to reach the place.
Travel time : About 1 1/2 hours by car from Manila.

Punta de Santiago Lighthouse
Built in 1890, it is one of the earliest lighthouses that remain functional up to this date. Since its construction, no ship has ever ran aground within its vicinity.
Location : Calatagan
How to get there : The lighthouse can be reached by taking a jeepney from the town proper of Calatagan.
Travel time : 40 minutes through semi-rough road.

Palace In The Sky
Originally designed to be the presidential guest house of former president Ferdinand Marcos, this complex was never completed. It is, however, now open to the public as a vantage area for viewing the Taal Volcano.
Location : Tagaytay City.
How to get there : The place is a short drive from the Aguinaldo Highway in Tagaytay City.
Travel time : 15 minutes' drive from Aguinaldo Highway.

The Flower Farm
On a windy slope of a hill in Tagaytay City sprawls a flower farm that keeps Manila abloom whole year round. The five-hectare flower farm has many varieties of flowers, such as chrysanthemums with assorted colors, gerberas, carnations, roses, and anthuriums.
Location : Barangay Guinhawa, Tagaytay City.
How to get there : From Tagaytay City, the farm is a brief 10-minute drive from the Aguinaldo Highway.

St. Anne's Shrine
The shrine is a small garden where a grotto of the Virgin Mary stands, surrounded by well maintained shrubbery and flower garden. In front of the grotto is a small grass clearing, which is conducive to quiet reflection.
Location : Barangay Sungay, Tagaytay City
How to get there : From Manila, take BLTB buses that pass by Barangay Silang Crossing to the Tagaytay Marker. At Tagaytay Marker, alight to take a utility jeep leading to Barangay Sungay where the gate of the Shrine can be spotted from the road.
Travel time : About 2 hours' drive from Manila.

Picnic area

The Taal volcano is an active volcano with a large crater lake with a small cone rising in the middle. Tagatay is built on the rim of the larger crater.

There is a park at the overlook area above the Taal volcano. Worth the effort! About an hour from Manila, it is accessible by taxi, bus or privately owned vehicle. You can take a Jeepney to the Olivarez, then take a tricycle to the lake and hire a boat. It's also possible to negotiate with the tricycle driver "full package" including tricycle, boat, and horse on the volcano - everything depends on your negotiation skills.

The park is well kept and there are numerous picnic seats, tables or covered huts for daily hire.

Picnic Grove.

People's Park.

Sonya’s Garden.

Bags of Beans Coffee Shop.

Transfiguration Chapel.

Do

Tagaytay Ridge Zipline.

Taal Volanco

You can take a 15 min outrigger boat ride to the volcano that is within the lake. As you head from Tagaytay city toward the lake, many touts may jump in front of your vehicle offering boat rides - they take a commission. If you know where to go, however, you can catch a boat directly from the boat owners. You will need to catch private transport of some kind down to the lake from Tagatay as there is no jeepney service there. If you take a motorbike or trike, you are recommended to lock in a fee for both directions at the top (including waiting time). If not, once you are down there, you are caught with requests for more than double the fee to get back up to Tagatay for the return journey. Many operators will try and offer all inclusive deals to the volcano, including the horse ride, lunch, etc. You are better to negotiate just the boat trip and then choose what you want to do on the island.

Once on the island, the boat guides will heard you to a point where you can go horseback riding to the volcano. It takes about 30-45 minutes and is quite bumpy. The guides with the horses take you to the top which is very spectacular and you can explore the top for as long as you want.

Another option is hiking which will take anywhere from 50 minutes to 90 minutes, so only do so if you have reasonable fitness (because of the hills, rocky terrain, etc).

When up at the volcano, watch out for guides trying to show groups of tourists heating tricks. These consist of getting a can of soft drink or water, cutting the can or bottle in half and watching the ground heat boil the water or liquid which is pretty cool to see, and you can boil an egg if you bring one with you!

Other Activities

Philippine Adventures[29] provides scenic city tours from Metro Manila to Tagatay with the option of catching a boat ride to Taal Volcano and hiking to the spectacular Taal Crater Lake.

Wedding in the sky - The atmosphere and scenery of a Tagaytay destination setting provides a special character to the wedding. An hour and 15 minutes drive through South Superhighway or Coastal Road, Tagaytay offers different venues for different settings that will suit your taste.

Buy

Small shops line the roadway as you come into the area, the vegetables and fruits available here are fresh and seemed to be very good quality.

Pasalubong (small gifts) gathered by the traveller in remembrance of, and for, friends is a strong Philippine tradition. No need to be extravagant, a small gift is considered to be most appropriate. Need help? Here's a hint... senorita bananas. About the size of a fat finger, they are sweet and have a rich texture. The area is also famous for its Buko Pie, which is a popular item.

There is also the Good Shepherd Convent (like the one in Baguio) and you can get your favorite Ube jam, pili, etc. In addition to that you can also get their buko pie for which Laguna/Cavite is known.

Eat

Budget

Mushroom Burger in Aguinaldo Highway.

Josephine's Restaurant is a well known restaurant in Tagaytay not just because of the great tasting foods but also because of the scenic view at the back of the restaurant. They also cater events like Weddings, Birthdays, etc. The ambiance is good especially for lovers and families too. A very cool place specially starting the Ber Month, from September. Josephine's Restaurant is along the road of Tagaytay. Very accessible even for foreign tourists.

Mid-range

Splurge

Antonio's, From Manila, take the South Luzon Expressway. Exit at Santa Rosa. Follow the long road until you reach Tagaytay. At the rotonda, turn right. Take the road that will lead you to the Taal Vista Lodge. Antonio's is farther up the road. Turn right when you see the Antonio's sign. Follow the signs leading to Antonio's. At the intersection, take the road with the arch (Bo. Neogan, Purok 7). After a few hundred meters, turn left to find Antonio's., ☎+63-917-899-2866. Antonio's is open from Tuesdays to Sundays. Lunch is served from 11:30AM to 1:30PM while dinner is from 5:30-7:30PM.. $20-$40 per person.

Drink

Coffee - Coffee shops are abundant in the city proper, some of the noted ones are Starbucks Coffee and Bag of Beans.

Sleep

Budget

Fat Bill’s Bed and Breakfast, Barangay Sungay East, Tagaytay City, Philippines, ☎046 695 6349, [2]. Double and Family Rooms with TV and DVD player, and their bathroom has a hot and cold shower.Best rates on official website start at 2,800.00″.

Keni Po, [3]. Rooms is in the heart of Tagaytay.starts at approximately $27.

Mi-jo Hotel Tagaytay, [4]. Provides all the comforts and conveniences expected of a luxury hotel. Filipino and American dishes are served in the Restaurant and for guests preferring a less formal start to the day, a breakfast selection can be served in the room. Prices starts at approximately $40..

Starflower Tourist Lodge, Km 62 Barangay Mendez West, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City, Philippines, ☎+63 (02) 8684579. checkin: 9/12; checkout: 9/13. Starflower Tourist Lodge in Tagaytay provides you with expansive views of Taal Volcano and Lake, and surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery. It is an affordable retreat for any traveler. The lodge's low-priced accommodations are a place where you can put your feet up and enjoy the mountain breeze coming in from the balcony. Room rates starts at Php 1800.Best rates on official website start at PHP 1800.

Hotel Dominique, Km. 55 Aguinaldo Hi-way, Brgy. Maitim II East, ☎(02) 5298173, [8]. Hotel Dominique is located along Aguinaldo Hi-way, a few meters away from the Tagaytay Rotonda. All of their rooms are fully air-conditioned, have a cable tv, telephone with NDD/IDD, and refrigerator. For suites, a bath tub is available. Some of their facilities include swimming pool, spa, game room, bar and restaurant, and a souvenir shop.Best rates on official website start at Php 4,000.00++.

Emiramona Garden Hotel, (near Pink Sisters Convent and Angels Hills), ☎(046) 4134661, [9]. checkin: 2:00 pm; checkout: 12:00 noon. Emiramona Garden Hotel is located along Aguinaldo Highway. They have 48 rooms and 2 villas, each has a cable television, DVD Player, night table with lampshade, wardrobe closet with a full-length mirror, refrigerator, safety deposit box, and a balcony.It offers a wide range of amenities/ facilities. Among them is the only glass-enclosed indoor pool in Tagaytay, also an indoor jacuzzi with its gardens and waterfall as a background. Best rates on official website start at Php 3,000.00++.

Taal Vista Hotel, Km 60 Aguinaldo Highway, ☎+63 2 886-4325, [24]. Close to the CALABARZON and to the historical and cultural spots in the area. Clean, cool mountain air.US$100-360.

The Theodore Hotel, Km. 54, Silang Crossing East Aguinaldo, ☎+63 46 483-0350, [25]. rooms named: The Cherry Blossom, The Neo Baroque, The Skyline, The Moorish, The Farm, The Whimsical Garden, The Modern Filipino, The Geometric Room, and The Theodore. Lounge area, which is an exclusive recreational and dining area for checked-in guests, arden that has a splendid view of the Taal Lake.Best rates on official website start at ₱5,000.00.

Stay Safe

Tagaytay is a safe place to visit, and the locals are very nice, just beware of the usual things in Tagaytay such as scammers and pickpockets; in short exercise the usual level of common sense when travelling.

Beware of the obvious scams and ensure that if you are visiting Taal volcano or any other attractions with guides that they have the proper identification usually administered by the Philippine Tourist Board.

As with all tourist destinations, they like to "plus plus" everything, that is add the taxes and the tourist fee on later, so make sure that you ask for the complete price inclusive of tourist fee. It is recommended that if you visit Taal Volcano and you go horseback riding, that you demand to pay your guide a tip and forego paying 500 pesos as a tour guide fee at the ticket office as this ensures that your working guide actually gets paid as they get undercut from the ticket office; a tip of 200 pesos usually suffices.

Contact

Police, Medical and Fire: 117/112/911. 117 may also be texted from cellphones.